November 2013

The Stairs of Philadelphia

November 24, 2013 admin Comments 0 Comment

BNY Mellon Building in downtown Philadelphia

As our flight levels out at 30,000 feet over a sunset illuminated skyline I wanted to take time to recap the most recent adventure. I traveled this weekend to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to compete in the Step Up for Special Olympics climb at the BNY Mellon building. The climb took us up 53 of the 54 floors of the building and for a great cause. Already planning on being in Eastern PA for a fire department event it was an opportunity to extend the trip and let me judge where I am at for the larger “Super Bowl” event in March at the Scott Firefighter Stair Climb. It was the last one on my side of the Mississippi until after the first of the year and I didn’t want to slow down. Who knows, maybe if I run across another one I’ll pick it up.

The City

This was my first trip to Philly other than using the airport a few times and I must admit it took some getting used to. Parking, traffic signal locations, and some of the traffic patterns were quite fun for a newb to the city. There is plenty to see in the City of Brotherly Love if you happen to be headed in for an event. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Pennsylvania Fire Hall, the steps from the movie Rocky, and overall some very interesting architecture were part of several stops for me in my short time there. I look forward to getting back there and seeing more history.

The Climb

This was a civilian climb so no specific groups for first responders, but it didn’t matter because I was competing against myself to get a time. The fire gear definitely got some comments for my PGFD friend and myself as to why we do this. As one parent of kindergarten aged children put it, “it was like the kids seeing Santa Claus to see a firefighter in gear,” they were pretty happy. Doing these events is part of a much bigger thing and taking a moment to talk to someone can make the difference!

I must say the staging area was a little different than I was used to at the larger climbs, but it flowed well. Not much in the way of swag, but the food and water were well taken care of and gave me what I needed.

What did I learn from this trip to Philly? There is definitely no off-season and I need to keep pushing forward to stay prepared. As of when I am writing this post they have not released the times so I can see how it compares to my last one. I know where I need to be and what I want to see by March.

More than anything, hearing our total raised to benefit Special Olympics was quite a reward. $25,000 was raised today by participants and going to an excellent cause!

Be hungry my brothers, keep breaking goals and setting new ones!

CLIMB CONQUER CURE!

I want to climb it

November 12, 2013 admin Comments 0 Comment

In the beginning back in 2007 when I started up the stairs of the Columbia Center Tower I thought that it would be a one and done kind of deal where it was a novel idea. Little did I know that I would become more and more addicted and enjoy many parts of competing again. The first couple years it was wait all year for an event, and then that quickly got boring because I wanted more. Then I added charity runs, other climbs, other cities, and other states.

Over the last year I have met so many people that I truly believe that the next year is going to be quite magical in a sense of all the logistics and where it will take me next. With the recent run at Ohio State and getting to share the message I am even more encouraged to keep pushing for cures and getting out to new places.

As I finished up a doctors appointment today to follow up on a slight injury I sat down to check out some National News when I came across what I will climb someday. An article from CNN (yes I know, I don’t believe everything I read) was talking about the new 1 WTC building and detailing the height and ranking amongst the tallest buildings in the United States and world. This would be where you insert a whitty remark similar to Jeff Foxworthy where…”You might be a stairclimber if…” The first few things that came to mind were, I wonder how many stairs there are, who will be the first group to climb it, and when can I sign up. What an amazing building first of all the ties to such a tragic time for our country and everyone involved. To be able to even set foot in this building would be amazing, let alone climb every step to the peak and see the view. I can’t begin to imagine.

At some point I’m sure with the right groups and encouragement this will be open and available. Hopefully the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb group will have first grab at being able to use the building for a climb. If it is as successful as the NYC Tunnel to Towers run, the climb will be sold out.

If you are promoting a firefighter climb or fire sponsored run, definitely get in touch with me and I will be more than happy to get word out about your event, promote, and spread the word!

How Firm Thy Friendship…

November 11, 2013 admin Comments 0 Comment

Screen Shot 2013-11-11 at 5.46.38 PM — PHOTO BY JIM BOSTIC

What more can you ask for in an event for its inaugural running, this Ohio State backed event dripped athleticism, friendship, and football all for a great cause. The Ohio State Four-Miler on Sunday, November 10^th on the campus of The Ohio State University benefitted the Urban and Shelley Meyer Cancer foundation and was amazing in its first running. As a Buckeye fan and athlete that likes to compete in events for a great cause, this was a no brainer to sign up and help keep me fit for upcoming firefighter stair climbs and benefit runs.
From the time I registered all the way up until race day the process moved smoothly. Registration a breeze and adding people to my team brought fast answers from their support. Communications leading up to the event were great and the packet pickup times offered plenty of options.

I must say from start to finish, this run seemed to get at every sports nerve in my body. Former Ohio State athletes, cheerleaders, TBDBITL, Brutus, and all of us starting in the shadow of Ohio Stadium fed the hungry Buckeye fans. 10,000 fans signing Carmen Ohio and then our National Anthem just gave it all that more of a game day experience. The race course had its small ups and downs, offered great pavement and plenty of space for 10,000 runners/walkers to traverse the campus in late fall.

Most important to this athlete and firefighter philanthropist was the cause and who I was able to do this event with, my family. As some may know from reading my blog that I started over the summer, my mother is a Leukemia survivor and ultimately found her cure thanks in part to the great people at OSU. What a lot of people didn’t know is that my mother Peggy signed up for this event and was one of the walkers to benefit this great cause. Being joined by my sister Amanda and my wife Jennifer it was a huge experience for her to be able to finish on the 50 and reach another milestone for her.

If you missed the opportunity to be a part of this year’s event, I highly recommend that you watch for announcements and sign up early next year. Surely with its popularity, this event will sell quickly.

An excellent job was done by all. O-H!!!

C.A.N. REPORT

November 9, 2013 admin Comments 0 Comment

What an exciting few months that it has been since launching the site over the summer and making an official home for my events, fundraising, and writing. When I started all of this out with a Firefighter Climb in 2007 I NEVER thought that I would be doing what I am now and have met so many awesome and influential people all doing great things for people in need. The website has had 3800 people through it as of the other day and that has just been through traffic from sharing the website at a handful of events. Well, its hard to hold back the site anymore. With the official announcement for joining the climb, the URL is out there and going to be driving people through here. Over the past few years I’ve helped pick up some new climbers, help with fundraising ideas, and helping to promote what any of us can do.

There is plenty happening right now in getting ready for the big March climb in Seattle. Tomorrow morning I will run the Ohio State Four Miler in full gear to benefit the Urban and Shelley Meyer Cancer Foundation and help raise money right at the very University that saved my moms life Even better, she will be doing the event with me. Her first time in an event and her first time ever setting foot into Ohio Stadium. In two more weeks I will be in Philadelphia, climbing 53 floors for Special Olympics and getting another solid climb in to see my progress while helping a great cause. December will be a slow month with maybe a 5k or two and continuing to hit the gym.

What do we need? Simple, what I need is your help. At the writing of this update at the beginning of November I am 120 days away from the Scott Firefighter Stair Climb, my biggest event that I fundraise for and I have a lofty goal of $5000 this year. Where does that money go, it benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help with cures, causes, research, patient and family education, treatments, and much more. If you want to help, either click the Scott Firefighter Stair Climb logo here or visit my fundraising site directly at http://www.llswa.org/goto/ff4cures

Please feel free to pass the website along, I’ll be adding more event information, tips, tricks, firefighting articles, updates, and media over the coming weeks. Help make a difference and SUPPORT THE CURE!

Thank you

PRESS RELEASE – Local firefighter continues to climb for cures

November 5, 2013 admin Comments 0 Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 4, 2013

Contact: Lt. Jason Bostic – FFII/PIO/CFSI
Tel: (740) 627-1664

jbostic@fredericktownfire.net

Local firefighter continues to climb for cures

FREDERICKTOWN – Local firefighter, Lieutenant Jason Bostic of the Fredericktown Community Fire District will once again join over 1550 firefighters from around the world in Seattle, WA for the Scott Firefighter Stair Climb. The 23^rd annual event that benefits The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will be held on Sunday, March 9, 2014. Bostic and other competitors will race up 69 floors to the top of the Columbia Center tower that stands at 788 feet and is the second tallest building west of the Mississippi. It will take firefighters 1311 grueling steps to reach the top and the will do the event wearing full firefighter gear and a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) weighing an average of 70 pounds.

“I live for these events and the ability to see the difference that we make in peoples lives by fundraising for charity. When you look into the eyes of a family member or a honoree and hear them speak about their battle, it pushes you to do so much more.” said Lt. Jason Bostic. “You’re there as a part of the large brotherhood of firefighting that sees challenges like this and takes them head on.”

In preparation, Bostic has continued throughout the year traveling to a variety of runs and stair climbs to compete in full gear to prepare for Seattle.

“I never saw myself picking this many events up throughout the year in so many areas, but connections and friendships I have made makes this very addicting and competitive,” said Bostic. “Every time I turn around I’m getting an invite to another event or helping promote one I’m involved with.”

With a workout regimen that challenges the cardiorespiratory system, he uses the Mount Vernon YMCA, other facilities, and a stair climber at home to continue preparing for the next event.

“I’ve had a lot of questions about the training and the event over the last several years and a big part is education and informing people about these causes. Even better has been getting more people involved,” said Bostic. “There is more to the firefighter calling than just putting out fires and doing rescue work, its about helping people, making a difference and going the extra mile. We are not only helping these causes, but promoting health and fitness amongst our profession.”

This will be the eighth time he has competed in the event, and has raised $12,656 in the first seven years participating. For this climb, Bostic has set a goal of $5,000 in fundraising and to beat his own PR of just less then 30 minutes.

“I don’t know where I came up with the total from this year. I just know I want to challenge myself, and hitting the mark is going to take work. It’s a lofty goal.”

Bostic’s motivation for participating in the event was his mother Peggy’s illness of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia that nearly took her life in 1986. Her long battle with CML continued to slowly kill her until she received a bone marrow transplant in 1990. The unmatched, unrelated bone marrow transplant was the first of its kind at The Ohio State University Medical Center and was before the James Cancer Institute came to fruition. Without fundraisers and funding for research, her life may not have been saved. She has been in remission since 1993 and continues to live a healthy life.

“I can’t payback the efforts of what the L&LS and their research did to save my mom, but I can pay it forward and make sure it is there for someone else,” Bostic added.

Recognized as the world’s largest individual firefighting competition in the world, the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb is sponsored by Scott Health & Safety and attracts Firefighters to Seattle from as far away as Newfoundland, New Zealand, and Germany. In 2013, over 1500 firefighters representing over 281 departments from around the world competed in the Seattle climb that raised a record $1.44 Million for the Society. He continues to be the only firefighter representing the State of Ohio at this event.

For more information about his climb and to donate you can visit his personal website at www.ff4cures.com and follow the link on the page to the Scott Firefighter Stair Climb.

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